Thanks for the congrats! Sorry I just now read it...haven't been on here in a while! You were at graduation? How funny! I take boards in 9 days (on the 29th)...I'm getting so nervous. It's much more real now. It is so nice being done with school!

Oh, well the program i was in we pretty much went to all the floors, one floor per week. L&D was... interesting to say the least. as soon as i got there on my first day a young girl was giving birth with her ex boyfriend/babydaddy was trying to comfort her but she didnt want him too i. he seemed so happy, taking pictures, adjusting pillows etc. but she angry. I was told that the night before it was a big arguement between the ex and the current BF and im guessing that she wanted her new BF there but his paternal rights took presidence. I've always thought that giving birth would cause pain but she didnt say a work or make a face during the birth or the stiching. I was in amazement. anyways, its a nice floor. The rns are nice. actually i didnt meet anyone that wasn't nice there, im guessing thats a reflection on their job. They must like what they do. oh its alot of young mothers there, like i took the day off of Highschool to get a check up young. It tripped me out but everyone makes there own choices in life. I just couldnt imagine doing a full time mothering job, part time work and full time school, but many do!

haha! i can't wait to be done with homework, studying, and the stress of driving to school. i'd like to go back to get my FNP (family nurse practitioner), sooner rather than later. I don't want to have to be going to school when i start my family! lol

i've never had clinicals at depaul yet, but for my OB/L&D clinical this semster i'll be there (starting in april)

Congrats on doing well in your A and P course. Stick with it, and your hard work will pay off. And, make sure to really absorb what you're taught in there, because it is a HUGE part of all of your nursing courses. You really have to understand the basic A and P before getting into the pathophysiology and such.

I work at St. Luke's, and I love it there. I've always wanted to work there and I'm glad I do. They have great benefits, and it's not a huge hospital, so it's somewhat less intimidating.

By the way, since you're basing your choices on benefits, I just found out today that all the SSM hospitals (such as cardinal glennon, st. mary's, st. joeseph's, and st. joe's west) are no longer doing tuition reimbursement or loan forgiveness, at least through 2009, then they will decide again in 2010 whether or not they pick that all back up again, all due to the recession. That is a HUGE deal, and I hope other hospitals don't follow in their footsteps, but I am sure eventually they will. So, unfortunately, I will not work at any SSM hospital if they keep that up.

Keep me posted and good luck!! Oh, and I don't have class on Tuesdays, so I wasn't up at UMSL then

Hello! I got my PCT job last semester (in October, actually), so yes, I was taking my junior-level writing when I got it. I work part-time (about 16 hrs/week). It's great experience! I'm in the ER, so we see lots of things. And, techs get to do a lot more in the ER! I always wanted to work at the hospital I'm at, andI like it, but I'm not 100% sure yet if I want to stay...I have another route I'm thinking of (better fellowship program), but I want to work in the ER, and I'd have a better chance by staying where I'm at now. I've got some decisions to make here soon...VERY soon actually. It's exciting! Schools very busy. 3rd semester is by far the hardest...people told me that before, and now I believe them! We have 3 clinical courses--Peds, L&D, and Med/Surg 2. Phew, it's a lot of studying! haha! How's everything going for you?? I hope I answered all your questions, if not, let me know!